Pitch Talk: San Jose

The Crew welcomes in defending Supporters' Shield winner San Jose for its home opener Saturday
afternoon, and we welcome in Elliott Almond from the San Jose Mercury News for this weekend's
installment of "Pitch Talk."

You can follow Almond on Twitter at @elliottalmond or by clicking
here.

Now, for the questions:

1. Based on last weekend's ending, are the Goonies back this year?I doubt any team could follow the kind of late-game success the Quakes had last season with a
similar experience the next season. But the victory over the Red Bulls underscored the type of team
Frank Yallop has built in San Jose. No matter who is on the roster the players continue to fight
the whole game. The players even talked about feeling they could have come back in the season
opener against Real Salt Lake -- a 2-0 defeat.

2. How differently, if at all, do you see San Jose playing on the road for the first time
this year?This version of the Earthquakes is in such flux that I can't see them changing much whether
at home or away. It's more like "all hands on deck" for 90-plus minutes. They are trying to weather
the start of MLS hoping to accumulate enough points to be in the mix when all the bodies are back
by summer.

3. What might the injury situation look like for the weekend?Everybody knows this is a team missing five regulars and Marcus Tracy, a striker they hope
will come good in MLS. Beyond that the main question for the weekend is the availability of forward
Mike Fucito. He suffered a hamstring muscle strain in Sunday's game and also had a gash on his left
foot that required stitches. If Fucito can't go expect second-year striker Sam Garza to twin with
Chris Wondolowski up front. Option C (well, really it is Option D) is rookie Adam Jahn, who scored
the equalizer in the 83rd minute against New York and had the shot on frame that led to the
game-winning PK. I have a feature and sidebar on Jahn that will be online Friday at
www.mercurynews.com

4. What player should Crew fans be keeping an eye on?No better place to start than following reigning Major League Soccer MVP Chris Wondolowski.
Wondo, though, isn't as effective without his big target men -- the injured Alan Gordon and Steven
Lenhart -- and winger Simon Dawkins who now plays for Aston Villa of the EPL. If the game is close
watch for Adam Jahn subbing in late.

5. What, if anything, have the Earthquakes noted about this year's Crew lineup?The Quakes withstood the firepower of the Red Bulls with Henry, Cahill and Espindola. They
don't feel it will be any easier against the Crew, especially because of the presence of Federico
Higuain. Even if Eddie Gaven can't go I think the Earthquakes view going to Columbus as difficult
as anywhere to play in the Eastern Conference.